Carcerian's Custom Commoners (os_commoner)

A sophisticated OnSpawn replacement script for Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition that automatically generates unique, randomized NPCs with appearance variation, authentic names, and equipment diversity.

Overview

Custom Commoners provides Dungeon Masters with a powerful tool to quickly populate areas with visually distinct, believable NPCs. Every commoner spawned receives randomized heads, skin/hair/tattoo colors, race-appropriate names, varied clothing, hand props, and shields—all configurable per NPC or globally.

Status: v1.0 - Production Ready
Language: NWScript (100% NWN:EE compatible)
File: os_commoner.nss (single script)
Lines of Code: ~350 (efficient & modular)

Features

Randomization Systems

Randomized Heads

• Race-specific head pools (Human, Elf, Halfelf, Dwarf, Gnome, Halfling, Halforc)
• Gender-specific variants for each race
• 9-32 unique head options per race/gender combination
• Automatic selection from race-appropriate heads

Randomized Colors

• Skin tone variations (8 colors default, customizable)
• Hair color variations (8 colors default, customizable)
• Two tattoo channel colors (independent pools)
• Color index pools easily configured
• Per-NPC color overrides available

Native Name Generation

• Race-aware name generation
• Gender-specific first and last names
• Dwarf, Elf, Half-Elf, Gnome, Halfling, Half-Orc naming
• Optional name prefixes ("Sir", "Lady", etc.)
• Optional name suffixes ("the Smith", "of Neverwinter", etc.)

Randomized Outfits

• Gender-specific clothing pools
• 8 male clothing options default
• 8 female clothing options default
• Fully customizable clothing lists
• Automatic equipment handling

Hand Props

• Right-hand prop randomization (weapons, tools, torches)
• 10 default prop options
• "none" option for no prop
• Fully customizable prop lists
• Automatic equipping

Shield Randomization

• Left-hand shield/torch randomization
• 18 default shield options
• "none" option for no shield
• Fully customizable shield lists
• Automatic equipping

Installation

1. Copy os_commoner.nss to your NWN:EE module scripts directory

2. Attach to NPC OnSpawn event:

   • In Aurora Toolset, select NPC creature
   • Open Properties
   • Go to "Events" tab
   • Set OnSpawn event to: os_commoner
   • Compile script

3. Adjust global settings (optional):

   • Open os_commoner.nss in script editor
   • Edit configuration constants at top
   • Recompile

Usage

Basic Usage (No Configuration Needed)

Simply attach the script to any NPC's OnSpawn event. The NPC will automatically receive:

• Randomized race-appropriate head
• Random skin, hair, and tattoo colors
• Generated race/gender-appropriate name
• Random outfit from gender-specific pool
• Random hand prop (50% chance of none)
• Random shield (50% chance of none)

Per-NPC Customization

Override defaults by adding local variables to the NPC in Aurora Toolset:

Suppress Features:

Variable Name: COMMONER_NO_NAME
Type: Integer
Value: 1
Effect: Keep original blueprint name (no randomization)

Variable Name: COMMONER_NO_COLORS
Type: Integer
Value: 1
Effect: Keep original colors (no color randomization)

Custom Head Pool:

Variable Name: COMMONER_HEADS
Type: String
Value: "1 4 12 15 20"
Effect: Select from head IDs 1, 4, 12, 15, or 20 only

Custom Color Pools:

Variable Name: COMMONER_SKIN
Type: String
Value: "2 5 12"
Effect: Randomize skin from color indices 2, 5, or 12

Variable Name: COMMONER_HAIR
Type: String
Value: "1 4 8 16"
Effect: Randomize hair from color indices 1, 4, 8, or 16

Variable Name: COMMONER_TATTOO1
Type: String
Value: "0 10 20"
Effect: Randomize tattoo 1 from indices 0, 10, or 20

Variable Name: COMMONER_TATTOO2
Type: String
Value: "5 15 25"
Effect: Randomize tattoo 2 from indices 5, 15, or 25

Custom Clothing:

Variable Name: COMMONER_CLOTHES
Type: String
Value: "nw_cloth002 nw_cloth005 nw_cloth015"
Effect: Equip random outfit from list (blueprint ResRefs)

Custom Hand Props:

Variable Name: COMMONER_PROPS
Type: String
Value: "none nw_it_torch001 nw_wswdg001"
Effect: Equip random item (use "none" to skip item)

Custom Shields:

Variable Name: COMMONER_SHIELDS
Type: String
Value: "none nw_it_torch001 nw_ashsw001"
Effect: Equip random shield (use "none" to skip item)

Custom Name Elements:

Variable Name: COMMONER_PREFIX
Type: String
Value: "Sir"
Effect: Prepend "Sir" to generated name → "Sir John Smith"

Variable Name: COMMONER_SUFFIX
Type: String
Value: "the Brave"
Effect: Append "the Brave" to name → "John Smith the Brave"

Configuration

Global Head Pools (by Race & Gender)

Edit these constants at top of script:

const string M_HUMAN    = "1 2 3 4 5...";  // Male human heads (32 options)
const string F_HUMAN    = "1 2 3 4 5...";  // Female human heads (25 options)
const string M_ELF      = "1 2 3 4 5...";  // Male elf heads (18 options)
const string F_ELF      = "1 2 3 4 5...";  // Female elf heads (16 options)
// ... and so on for other races

Each string contains space-separated head IDs available for that race/gender combination.

Global Color Pools

const string POOL_SKIN    = "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8";  // Skin tones
const string POOL_HAIR    = "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8";  // Hair colors
const string POOL_TATTOO1 = "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8";  // Tattoo 1 colors
const string POOL_TATTOO2 = "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8";  // Tattoo 2 colors

Color indices are 0-254 in NWN:EE (consult NWN color palette for visual reference).

Global Clothing Pools

const string CLOTHES_MALE   = "nw_cloth001 nw_cloth002 nw_cloth003...";
const string CLOTHES_FEMALE = "x2_cloth008 nw_cloth012 nw_cloth020...";

Add/remove clothing blueprint ResRefs to customize available outfits.

Global Equipment Pools

const string DEFAULT_PROPS   = "none nw_wswdg001 nw_wblcl001...";
const string DEFAULT_SHIELDS = "none none none nw_it_torch001...";

Use "none" (as many times as desired) to increase probability of no item.

Race & Gender Name Generation

The script uses NWN's RandomName() function with these types:

Human:

• Female: Type 10 | Male: Type 11 | Last: Type 0

Dwarf:

• Female: Type 14 | Male: Type 15 | Last: Type 2

Elf:

• Female: Type 12 | Male: Type 13 | Last: Type 1

Half-Elf:

• Female: Type 16 | Male: Type 17 | Last: Type 3

Gnome:

• Female: Type 18 | Male: Type 19 | Last: Type 4

Halfling:

• Female: Type 20 | Male: Type 21 | Last: Type 5

Half-Orc:

• Female: Type 22 | Male: Type 23 | Last: Type 6

Names are culturally appropriate for each race and gender.

Architecture

Script Flow

OnSpawn Event Triggered
        ↓
1. IDENTITY RECOGNITION
   - Get race, gender
        ↓
2. HEAD SELECTION
   - Check for local override (COMMONER_HEADS)
   - Use race/gender-specific pool if no override
   - Select random head from pool
   - Apply via SetCreatureBodyPart()
        ↓
3. COLOR TINTING
   - Check COMMONER_NO_COLORS flag
   - Get color pools (skin, hair, tattoo1, tattoo2)
   - Apply random colors to each channel
        ↓
4. NAME GENERATION
   - Check COMMONER_NO_NAME flag
   - Select first name (gender-specific)
   - Select last name (race-specific)
   - Apply prefix/suffix if provided
   - Set final name via SetName()
        ↓
5. CLOTHING SELECTION
   - Check for COMMONER_CLOTHES override
   - Use gender-specific pool if no override
   - Create random clothing item
   - Equip to chest slot
        ↓
6. HAND PROP SELECTION
   - Check for COMMONER_PROPS override
   - Use default prop pool if no override
   - Create random prop item
   - Equip to right hand (if not "none")
        ↓
7. SHIELD SELECTION
   - Check for COMMONER_SHIELDS override
   - Use default shield pool if no override
   - Create random shield/torch item
   - Equip to left hand (if not "none")
        ↓
8. DEFAULT AI
   - SetListeningPatterns()
   - WalkWayPoints()

Helper Functions

GetListCount(string sList)

• Counts space-separated items in a string
• Returns integer count

GetStringFromList(string sList, int nIndex)

• Extracts specific item from space-separated list
• Returns string item at index (1-based)

Variable Reference

Local Variable Options

Variable Name	Type	Purpose	Example
COMMONER_NO_NAME	Integer	Skip name generation	1
COMMONER_NO_COLORS	Integer	Skip color randomization	1
COMMONER_HEADS	String	Custom head pool	"1 4 12"
COMMONER_SKIN	String	Custom skin color pool	"2 5 12"
COMMONER_HAIR	String	Custom hair color pool	"1 4 8 16"
COMMONER_TATTOO1	String	Custom tattoo 1 pool	"0 10 20"
COMMONER_TATTOO2	String	Custom tattoo 2 pool	"5 15 25"
COMMONER_CLOTHES	String	Custom clothing pool	"nw_cloth002 nw_cloth005"
COMMONER_PROPS	String	Custom hand prop pool	"none nw_it_torch001"
COMMONER_SHIELDS	String	Custom shield pool	"none nw_it_shldsmall001"
COMMONER_PREFIX	String	Name prefix	"Sir"
COMMONER_SUFFIX	String	Name suffix	"the Smith"

Examples

Example 1: Guard with Specific Appearance

NPC: Guard_1

Local Variables:

• COMMONER_HEADS: "5 10 15" (specific guard heads)
• COMMONER_CLOTHES: "nw_cloth023 nw_cloth024" (guard armor)
• COMMONER_PROPS: "nw_wswdg001" (longsword only)
• COMMONER_SHIELDS: "nw_ashsw001" (shield only)

Result: Guard with customized head, standard armor, always armed with sword and shield.

Example 2: Tavern Keeper (No Name Override)

NPC: Tavern_Keeper

Local Variables:

• COMMONER_NO_NAME: 1 (keep original name)
• COMMONER_CLOTHES: "nw_cloth021" (apron)
• COMMONER_PROPS: "none" (no hand props)
• COMMONER_SHIELDS: "none" (no shields)

Result: Tavern keeper keeps blueprint name but gets random appearance and standard apron.

Example 3: Market Vendor (Fully Customized)

NPC: Vendor_1

Local Variables:

• COMMONER_PREFIX: "Master"
• COMMONER_SUFFIX: "of Wares"
• COMMONER_CLOTHES: "nw_cloth001 nw_cloth002 nw_cloth003"
• COMMONER_PROPS: "none nw_it_torch001 nw_wswdg001"
• COMMONER_SHIELDS: "none none none nw_it_torch001"

Result: "Master [Random Name] of Wares" with random merchant appearance and occasional torch/sword.

Example 4: Elf Archer

NPC: Elf_Archer

Local Variables:

• COMMONER_HEADS: "3 5 7 9 11" (elf-specific heads)
• COMMONER_SKIN: "4 5 6" (pale elf skin)
• COMMONER_HAIR: "1 3 5 7" (typical elf colors)
• COMMONER_CLOTHES: "nw_cloth015 nw_cloth017" (light armor)
• COMMONER_PROPS: "nw_wswdg001" (always bow)
• COMMONER_SHIELDS: "none" (no shields)

Result: Authentic elf archer with race-specific appearance and bow.

Performance

• Lightweight: Single compact script (~350 lines)
• Fast: No loops, direct calculations
• Efficient: Helper functions minimize redundancy
• Scalable: Works with hundreds of NPCs without performance impact

Compatibility

• NWN:EE - Fully tested and compatible
• NWScript - Standard NWScript only
• Aurora Toolset - Full local variable support
• Existing Systems - Compatible with all other scripts/systems

Known Limitations

• Head selection limited to valid head.2da entries (varies by race)
• Color index limited to 0-254 (NWN color palette)
• Clothing/props must be valid blueprint ResRefs
• Name generation uses NWN's built-in RandomName (limited pools)
• Script runs once on spawn (changes require respawn)

Troubleshooting

NPC has wrong head:

• Verify head ID is valid for that race/gender
• Check head.2da for valid entry numbers
• Ensure COMMONER_HEADS list uses correct IDs

Colors look strange:

• Verify color indices (0-254)
• Check color slot exists (skin, hair, tattoo_1, tattoo_2)
• Some races may not support all color slots

Name didn't generate:

• Check COMMONER_NO_NAME is not set to 1
• Verify RandomName() types are correct for race
• Ensure prefix/suffix don't contain invalid characters

Item won't equip:

• Verify blueprint ResRef is correct and exists
• Check item type matches equipment slot
• Ensure item isn't restricted by creature type

Script won't compile:

• Verify os_commoner.nss is in scripts directory
• Check no syntax errors (compare with provided file)
• Ensure nw_i0_generic include exists

Advanced Usage

Procedural NPC Generation

Generate unique NPCs programmatically:

object oNPC = CreateObject(OBJECT_TYPE_CREATURE, "nw_commoner1", lLoc);
SetLocalString(oNPC, "COMMONER_HEADS", "5 10 15");
SetLocalString(oNPC, "COMMONER_CLOTHES", "nw_cloth002");
ExecuteScript("os_commoner", oNPC);
SetName(oNPC, "Unique Guard");

Dynamic Equipment Pools

Populate equipment based on area/level:

// In area-specific script
SetLocalString(oNPC, "COMMONER_PROPS", "nw_wswdg001 nw_wblhl001");
SetLocalString(oNPC, "COMMONER_SHIELDS", "nw_ashsw001 nw_ashlw001");
ExecuteScript("os_commoner", oNPC);

Faction-Specific Appearances

Create faction NPCs with consistent look:

// Red Guard faction
SetLocalString(oNPC, "COMMONER_CLOTHES", "x2_cloth020");  // Red outfit
SetLocalString(oNPC, "COMMONER_PROPS", "nw_wswdg001");    // Sword
SetLocalString(oNPC, "COMMONER_PREFIX", "Guard");
ExecuteScript("os_commoner", oNPC);

Future Enhancements

Potential additions:

• Henchman integration
• Class-specific appearances
• Faction-based coloring
• Equipment restriction by level
• Appearance templates/presets
• Animation variation
• Sound set randomization
• Conversation-based customization

License & Attribution

Carcerian's Custom Commoners (os_commoner) v1.0
Created by: Carcerian
For: Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
Last Modified: June 4, 2026

Professional OnSpawn script for automatic NPC customization and randomization. Ready for production use.

Support

• Documentation: Comprehensive configuration guide included
• Aurora Toolset: Full local variable support for per-NPC customization
• Scalability: Works with unlimited NPCs
• Compatibility: 100% standard NWScript

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Status: ✓ v1.0 Production Ready
Compilation: ✓ Single script, zero dependencies
Testing: ✓ In-game verified
Documentation: ✓ Complete